Education in Emergencies: The Lifeline for Refugee Children

In Action and Advocacy, Education In Emergencies, Uncategorized by and Divine Irakoze

Education in Emergencies: The Lifeline for Refugee Children

July 17th, 2024 | | News | Divine Irakoze

July 2, 2024

Washington, D.C. - Education is a fundamental human right, yet millions of children around the world are deprived of this right due to conflict and disaster. Refugees face significant barriers to accessing education which can have long-lasting impacts on their lives and communities. The need for strong educational systems for refugees is more critical than ever. Over 222 million crisis-impacted children require urgent educational support, a stark increase from 75 million in 2016"​ (Education Cannot Wait)​​ (The United Nations Office at Geneva)​​ (INEE). The destruction of educational infrastructure and the displacement of millions of children necessitate immediate action and sustained support from the global community.

"Education must be at the forefront of U.S. global funding. Access to quality, inclusive education is essential to reducing learning poverty, mitigating the disastrous effects of humanitarian crises, and shaping a more secure and peaceful world." - Jennifer Rigg, Former Executive Director of the Global Campaign for Education - U.S.

Conflict and disaster disrupt education systems in many ways. According to a report by UNICEF, nearly 50 million children are uprooted from their homes, with 28 million of these displaced due to conflict (UNICEF). Schools are often destroyed or repurposed as shelters. Teachers may flee or be recruited into armed groups, and families are forced to prioritize survival over schooling. Many refugee camps and host communities lack adequate educational facilities, compelling children to travel long distances to attend school, if they can attend at all. Even when schools are available, the quality of education is often poor, plagued by overcrowded classrooms, untrained teachers, and lack of learning materials. Refugee children also grapple with language barriers and the trauma of displacement, which significantly impact their ability to learn.

“Children with disabilities have the same right to education as all other children and shall enjoy this right without discrimination and on an equal basis with others.” - Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director of Disability Rights International

Growing up in a refugee camp, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact of disrupted education on my peers and myself. With limited resources, our classrooms were overcrowded, and often, we lacked basic learning materials. The dedication of our teachers, many of whom were refugees themselves, was the only thing that kept our educational hopes alive. Despite these challenges, the opportunity to learn provided us with a sense of normalcy and hope for a better future.  

Organizations like JRS USA, the Education for All Coalition, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) are making significant strides in addressing the educational needs of refugee children. JRS USA focuses on creating safe learning environments, providing teacher training, and offering psychosocial support. The Education for All Coalition advocates for inclusive education policies and increased funding for education in emergencies. ECW provides rapid funding to support educational programs in crisis-affected areas, while GPE works to strengthen education systems in developing countries. 

“It is to the benefit of all countries to include the United States to ensure that all children are given access to a basic quality education to ensure equity in achieving their fullest potential to become productive and able to contribute to their home or adopted countries.” - Rose Cardarelli, Founder and CEO of the Education for All Coalition

Education is a lifeline for children affected by conflict and disaster, offering hope and a path to a better future. Increased funding, better coordination, and stronger commitment from the international community are essential to address the education needs of the most vulnerable children. 

“Access to education is a basic human right, one that needs to be protected at all costs. Children are more shielded from human rights violations like child labor, child marriage, and similar dangerous situations once they are provided the chance to go to school.” - Kate Mallory, the Global Campaign for Education - U.S.

To support education in emergencies, consider donating to organizations working on the ground, advocating for policy changes, or raising awareness about the importance of education for all children, regardless of their circumstances. Unified global advocacy can lay the foundation for stronger education systems around the world and support for at-risk children and youth, helping us make the world a safer and more equal place. For opportunities to engage, you can donate to organizations such as JRS USA, the Education for All Coalition, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Advocate for policy changes by participating in campaigns with the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), get involved with policy initiatives by USAID, or supporting UNICEF’s Education Initiatives. Raise awareness by attending upcoming events by organizations like Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and engaging with UNICEF’s campaigns and events related to global education. By getting involved with these organizations and initiatives, you can help ensure that all children have access to quality education, even in the most challenging circumstances. 

References: 

  1. UNICEF. (2023). KIDS IN NEED OF DESKS (K.I.N.D.) FUND | UNICEF USA. Retrieved from: https://www.unicefusa.org/kind
  2. UNESCO. (2022). Global Education Monitoring Report. Retrieved from: https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/
  3. JRS USA. (2023). Providing education to refugee children. Retrieved from: https://www.jrsusa.org/education
  4. Education for All Coalition. (2023). Inclusive education policies. Retrieved from: https://www.educationforallcoalition.org/policies
  5. Education Cannot Wait. (2023). Global fund for education in emergencies. Retrieved: from https://www.educationcannotwait.org/
  6. Global Partnership for Education. (2023). Strengthening education systems. Retrieved: from https://www.globalpartnership.org/